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Arbor Lodge
Nebraska State›Otoe County
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Nebraska CityNE

Photo: Workman at en.wikipedia · CC BY 2.5
Photo of Nebraska City

Nebraska City, NE · Photo: Workman at en.wikipedia · CC BY 2.5 · Source ↗

Population
7,512
2025 Census estimate · +4% since 2020
Typical home
$200K
−0.8% in a year
Household income
$67K
median
Median age
38.8
years
Jobs based here
2,901
Balanced
TownGrade
B−
#37 of 57 in NE

Is Nebraska City a good place to live?

Nebraska City gives you more for your money than most places: a typical home costs about $200K, 2.4 years of the county’s $82K median household income. It grades B− overall, 37th of 57 graded towns in Nebraska State. The low prices come with trade-offs. Its schools rank behind 93% of the state's. Nebraska City has 16 places on the National Register of Historic Places, among them Kregel Wind Mill Company and Arbor Lodge. 34% of working residents work locally in Nebraska City, close to Nebraska State’s towns (34%) and above U.S. towns (8%). The biggest park or preserve is Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, at 54 acres.

StrongestACost of livingA−HistoryWeakestDSchools

What makes Nebraska City stand out

Where Nebraska City beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.

Typical home value

Nebraska City$200K
Nebraska State$278K
Cost of livingA
More affordable than 91% of U.S. towns
Zillow Home Value Index; area median household income, Census ACS.
Kregel Wind Mill Company
HistoryA−
Settled in 1855
A history going back 171 years.
NEBRASKA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SchoolGradesStudents
Nebraska City Northside ElemPK–2370
Hayward Elementary School3–5330
Nebraska City Middle School6–8271
Worth knowing · SchoolsD
On state tests and graduation
NCES · EDFacts.
Kregel Wind Mill Company
Kregel Wind Mill Company · National Register of Historic Places
Nebraska City’s story

171 years in pictures

Kregel Wind Mill Company is one of 2 National Historic Landmarks here, the National Register’s top tier. Its founding year, 1855, comes before those of 96% of the Nebraska State towns we grade with a known year.

Census counts: 1,922 in 1860, a peak of 11,941 in 1890, 7,222 in 2020. The archive holds 6 old photos and papers going back to 1855 and 2 maps from 1907 on.

16 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

  • 1855Nebraska City is settled
Explore the history →

How Nebraska City grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Nebraska State), ordered by how far Nebraska City is from typical.

How grading works
SchoolsDOpen →Cost of livingAOpen →WalkabilityEPA walkability 8.5 of 20; 3.3% of households have no car; 1.4% of workers walk, bike or ride transitBOpen →Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listC+Open →SafetyBOpen →Jobs & income$67K median household incomeB−Open →HealthCHI Health St. Mary's 3 miles awayB−Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors2 miles of trails; 5% conserved landB+Open →History19 notable people born hereA−Open →Civic life4.2 library visits per resident; 6.4 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsB−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Housing market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 38.8; 25% of adults have a four-year degree–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Getting set up

Moving to Nebraska City: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Nebraska City, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →
PowerCity of Nebraska CityEIAHIFLD · EIA
WaterCity of Nebraska City water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet6 providers99% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Nebraska City’s trash rules yet
SchoolsNebraska City Public SchoolsWhich school depends on your addressNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn Nebraska State you can register online until 18 days before Election Day, in person until 11 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 18 days before).vote.gov
Who runs elections hereOtoe County ClerkOtoe County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Aug 2020
ZIP code6841068410 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 30, 2026.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Nebraska City.

Nebraska City trades lower home prices for longer drives to work and is healthier than towns with similar incomes.

SchoolsD

For schools, Nebraska City earns a D

Its public schools are run by the Nebraska City Public Schools. Two of its 6 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Nebraska City High School, with 442 students.

7%of NE districts it outscoresDSchool Grade
SchoolLevelStudentsLetter
Nebraska City Northside ElemLargest public elementary schoolGrades PK–2Grades PK–2370–
Nebraska City High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12Grades 9–12442C−
Full pageNebraska City’s schools pageOpen the page
The districtsNEBRASKA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLSEvery school6 schools · Nebraska City High SchoolQuestions“Are Nebraska City’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within NE on state tests and graduation

OutdoorsB+

5.1% of Nebraska City is conserved land

2.0 miles of trail in 4 parks and preserves.

#21for trails in NE
Nebraska CityNebraska State townsU.S. towns
Conserved land5.1%3.6%4.3%
Miles of trail per square mile0.4 miles per square mile0.30.4
5.1%
conserved · 165 of 3,204 acres
2.0 mi
of trails · 0.4 per sq mi
Biggest places to walkTrailsAcres
1. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park0.6 mi54
2. Steinhart Park0.3 mi44
3. Riverview State Recreation Area—32
Full pageNebraska City’s outdoors pageOpen the page
Trail map2.0 miles of trail, mappedPick a walk0.6 miles of trail · Arbor Lodge State Historical ParkConserved land5.1% conserved · 165 acres protectedQuestions“Where can I hike in Nebraska City?”

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

HousingCost of living grade A

For cost of living, Nebraska City earns an A

Homes are within reach (about $200K for the typical one, A for cost of living), but half of working residents commute more than 20 miles. At 2.4 years of the county’s $82K median household income, the typical home (about $200K) costs less against local pay than in 96% of Nebraska State towns; that ratio is one input to its A for cost of living.

The typical Nebraska City home is worth about $200,000, down 0.8% in a year, 28% below the Nebraska State typical home.

$200KZillow home value
Nebraska CityNebraska State townsU.S. towns
Households that own their home75%67%73%
Median rent$947 a month$907 a month$1,185 a month

Typical home value

Nebraska City$200K
Nebraska State$278K
−0.8%
value change, 1 year
Full pageNebraska City’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page
Prices over the yearsDown 0.8% in a yearYears of income to buyA typical home costs 3.0 years of incomeRents$947 a month · Median rent

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

Climate

Nebraska City has four seasons and pleasant summers

Nebraska City has cold winters and warm summers. July afternoons reach 87°, January nights drop to 15° and about 24 inches of snow falls in a winter.

24″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter18–37°
Spring41–64°
Summer64–85°
Fall42–65°
Oct 19
typical first frost
Apr 18
typical last frost
+0.6°
vs. the 20th-century average
Full pageNebraska City’s climate pageOpen the page
A year of weatherJuly highs 87°, January lows 15°Rain & snow24″ of snow a winter · 33 inches of rain and snow a yearHeating & coolingMostly a heating billThen and now+0.6° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Work & commuteJobs & income grade B−

Nebraska City has 0.8 jobs for every working resident, so most commute out

About one in 3 of Nebraska City’s working residents works in town. Jobs based in Nebraska City fell to 2,901 in 2023, 459 fewer than in 2013. The average trip to work in Nebraska City is 18 minutes.

34%work in town
Nebraska CityNebraska State townsU.S. towns
Average trip to work18 minutes17 minutes25 minutes
Work from home5.2%5.6%11%
Below the poverty line12%11%9.6%
Median household income$67,000$70,000$80,000

Where working residents work

In Nebraska City34%
Omaha12%
Lincoln10%
Auburn2%
Papillion1%
20 mi
median commute distance
2,901
jobs based in Nebraska City
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
B
Walkability grade: more walkable than 58% of U.S. towns
Full pageNebraska City’s work & commute pageOpen the page
The jobs here2,901 jobs based here · BalancedWhere people work34% work in Nebraska CityCommute times18 minutes · The average commuteHow far they goHalf commute less than 20 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

56%of U.S. towns report more crimeBSafety Grade

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Nebraska City1.3
Nebraska State2.2
U.S.3.3

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Nebraska City8.8
Nebraska State14
U.S.15.5
56th
percentile among U.S. towns we grade
50th
percentile among NE towns
10
violent crimes reported in 2025
67
property crimes reported in 2025
Full pageNebraska City’s safety reportOpen the page
Violent crime by type1.3 violent crimes per 1,000Crime over the yearsSteady since 2023Questions“Is Nebraska City, NE safe?”

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C+

Nebraska City faces a moderate natural-hazard risk, led by inland flooding

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 52% of U.S. communities. Since 1993, 7 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Nebraska City.

52risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
52Moderate riskLowerHigher
Inland floodingTornadoesStrong wind
7
paid flood claims since 1993
5
federal disasters paid out here
Full pageNebraska City’s hazards pageOpen the page
What it facesModerate riskFlood claims7 paid flood claims · Since 1993Past disasters5 federal disasters · Paid out in Nebraska CityGet ready2 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

HealthB−

Residents of Nebraska City are healthier than 50% of U.S. towns

Against the 10,224 U.S. towns with household incomes like Nebraska City’s, it is healthier than 67%, so its B− isn’t only a matter of income.

Nebraska City beats the Nebraska State average on 0 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 8. 29% of Nebraska City adults sleep under 7 hours.

51%healthier than U.S. townsB−Health Grade
Nebraska CityNebraska State townsU.S. towns
Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES)29%31%36%
Obesity (CDC PLACES)41%39%35%
Depression (CDC PLACES)18%18%23%
Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES)14%14%17%
32 measures vs. Nebraska State
0 better24 too close to call8 worse
What stands outNebraska CityNE
More adults who get no exercise29.5%24.3%
More adults with heart disease7.2%6.1%
More adults with COPD7.2%6.1%
CHI Health St. Mary's
3 mi away · emergency room
1 of 3
care shortages: mental health
30th
percentile among NE towns
Full pageNebraska City’s health reportOpen the page
Everyday habitsMore adults who get no exerciseHospitals & doctors nearbyCHI Health St. Mary'sHow adults are doingMore adults in fair or poor healthEvery CDC estimateBetter than NE on 0 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Nebraska City

20pages on Nebraska City
The big questions
SchoolsDBehind 93% of NE districts · 6 schoolsSafetyB1.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents (2025)HealthB−Better than NE on 0 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingA$200K typical home · down 0.8% in a yearWork & commuteB−$67K median household income · 2,901 jobs hereNatural hazardsC+FEMA risk higher than 52% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
OutdoorsB+2 mi of trails · 5% conserved landPlacesAttractions38 nearby · Fontenelle Bank 32 miLibraryB−4.2 library visits per residentColleges
The story
HistoryA−Settled 1855 · 16 on the National RegisterFamous people19 born in Nebraska CityTown Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 64 residentsClimate87° summer highs · 24″ of snow
Day to day
News2 recent stories about Nebraska CityWeatherHandbookZIP code 68410Town SquareNeighbors
After high school

Colleges nearby

None within 15 miles of Nebraska City; the nearest are

Peru State CollegeUniversity or college · Public · Peru15.5 mi$8,640 in-state tuitionSoutheast Community College AreaCommunity college · Public · Lincoln40 mi$3,690 in-state tuition

About 7 of every 100 Nebraska City residents are enrolled in college, about the same as Nebraska State.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

Landmarks

16 places in Nebraska City on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →
Kregel Wind Mill CompanyNational Historic Landmark
Arbor LodgeBuilt 1855 · National Historic Landmark
U.S. Post Office
Jasper A. Ware House

Famous people from Nebraska City

19 notable people were born in Nebraska City.

See all 19 →
Pete RickettsUnited States Senator from Nebraska since 2023 · born 1964
R
Rainbow RowellAmerican children's writer · born 1973
Joe RickettsAmerican businessman · born 1941
Leland HaywardAmerican talent agent and theatrical producer · 1902–1971
Christopher WallerAmerican economist · born 1959
L
Lloyd FallersAmerican anthropologist · 1925–1974

About Nebraska City

City in Nebraska, United States

Official town website ↗

Nebraska City is a city in and the county seat of Otoe County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 7,222. The Nebraska State Legislature has credited Nebraska City as being the oldest incorporated city in the state, as it was the first approved by a special act of the Nebraska Territorial Legislature in 1855. Nebraska City is the home of Arbor Day, the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Center (which focuses on the natural history achievements of the expedition), and the Mayhew Cabin, the only site in the state recognized by the National Park Service as a station on the Underground Railroad.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established
1855
Area
4.9 sq mi
Elevation
1,056 ft
ZIP code
68410
Area code
402

Questions about Nebraska City

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Nebraska City, NE a good place to live?

Nebraska City grades B− overall, better than 49% of U.S. towns and #37 of 57 in Nebraska State. It grades B− for health, B for safety and D for schools. Schools is its weak spot, with a D.

Is Nebraska City, NE expensive?

Not for the area. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades A.

What is Nebraska City, NE known for?

19 notable people were born here, including Pete Ricketts and Rainbow Rowell.